Nashville Predators 4, Dallas Stars 1: 3 things we learned

The rookie defenseman scored his first NHL goal Thursday against the Stars.
Adam Vingan / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators defenseman Samuel Girard (94) celebrates with teammates after scoring his first NHL goal during the second period against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017.(Photo: Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)

Listen to enough hockey players and you'll undoubtedly hear about the concept of a "60-minute game." It's cliche, but also the barometer by which teams judge their performances.

The Predators haven't played a 60-minute game yet, though on Thursday they came as close to one as they have this season. Against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena, the Predators won 4-1, shaking off a slow start in their first Central Division game.

"I thought that was the most complete 60 minutes so far," Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said. "It was a step in the right direction."

Here are three observations from Nashville's second consecutive victory:

Nashville Predators defenseman Samuel Girard (94) celebrates with teammates after scoring his first NHL goal during the second period against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop (30) keeps his eye on the puck during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Predators start slow, finish strong

Nashville looked disoriented during the first period, wasting a five-minute power play and struggling to string clean passes together. Dallas led 1-0 at first intermission on a goal from captain Jamie Benn.

"The first period, it's not that we weren't ready to play or didn't want to do the right things," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "Puck didn't set our way, didn't bounce our way and it looked out of sort a little bit."

It wasn't until Predators defenseman Samuel Girard scored his first NHL goal early in the second period that the team found some rhythm. The strong play of Rinne, who made 30 saves, helped to protect Nashville's lead. Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson netted a breakaway goal with 4:51 left, then defenseman P.K. Subban threw in an empty-netter.

Forsberg's fast start

Predators forward Filip Forsberg arguably was the NHL's most prolific second-half scorer during the previous two seasons.

Among Forsberg's objectives this season is to provide steadier production. His goal Thursday, in which he pounced on Girard's rebound during a second-period power play, is his fourth in as many games.

Forsberg needed 31 games to reach that total last season, but still finished with 31 goals. If he is able to score on a more consistent basis as he has to start this season, then a career year appears imminent.

Injuries piling up on defense

The Predators played without captain Roman Josi for a second consecutive game as he deals with a lower-body injury. He is considered day-to-day.

Since the start of last season, the Predators have played 38 of 86 regular-season games without at least one of their top four defensemen — Josi, Subban Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm.

Defenseman Yannick Weber exited Thursday's game after received a shoulder to the head from Stars center Martin Hanzal in the first period. Hanzal received a major penalty for interference. Laviolette didn't have an update on Weber's status after the game.

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.